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Welche Bedeutung AFN mit seinen Sendungen für die Entwicklung der Country Music bei uns und vor allem für jeden einzelnen persönlich hatte, das schildere ich in dem Beitrag "Wie es war - wie es ist Country im Radio" auf dieser Seite. In der Serie "Eine AFN-Chronologie" werden nun in lockerer Folge alle mir zugänglichen Beiträge aus den verschiedensten Publikationen im deutschsprachigen Raum wiedergegeben - Beiträge aus Country Zeitschriften, Country Newsletter etc. und auch aus eigenen Aufzeichnungen. AFN hatte seine Studios in den ursprünglich amerikanischen Besatzungszonen und in West Berlin. Die Nähe der Schweiz zum süddeutschen Raum brachte es mit sich, dass der in der Schweiz ansässige von Charles "Chuck" Steiner betriebene "Ole Hillbilly Drifters"-Club hauptsächlich die Aktivitäten der AFN-Stationen in München, Stuttgart und Frankfurt beleuchtete. Der erste Bericht dieser Serie stammt aus dem Jahr 1957. Anzumerken ist noch, dass die Clubzeitschriften der "Ole Hillbilly Drifters" anfangs in englischer Sprache erschienen, später wurden Beiträge auch in deutscher Sprache abgedruckt. Die Sendezeiten der Country-Sendungen (damals verwendete man noch die Terminologien "Hillbilly Music" und etwas fortgeschritten schon "Country & Western") sind in allen Beiträgen hervorgehoben. Ergänzungen zu dieser Chronologie sind jederzeit willkommen.
JERRY H A Y M E S - "Mr.VERSATILE"
By Hauke StruebingSince June l7, 196l, the European listeners of the AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK (AFN) in Europe listened to a voice which won so many friends in a real short time. That´ s the date when the "Singing Deejay" Jerry Haymes compiled his first Coun-try & Western Hitparade on AFN. To everybody his voice seemed so clear, so marvellous, so wonderful. Yes Siree, believe you me: this voice really belongs to a young fellow who sings. This is a surprise for you, isn't it?
So let me tell you the life story of this young talent. Let me introduce Jerry Haymes to all his listeners, and also to the others who cannot admire his voice and his shows. But be sure, there will come a time you also can hear him on radio shows and on records.
Jerry Haymes was born in Vernon, Texas, on August 3O, 1939. He stands six feet high, has green eyes, brown hair and is not married. So gals, don´t you hesitate any moment.
Until Jerry was 14 years old his parents and his 16 year-old brother Rusty lived in Vernon, Texas. Jerry attended school in Vernon, too, but in 1953 he moved to Clovis, New Mexico, where he finished high school. Since he was 10 years old, Jerry was connected with music. At this time he started out in playing in a Grade School Band. At first he played trumpet, but he soon realized that he didn't like the trumpet. So he changed to the drums. Soon after having some experience with this Instrument, Jerry had a No. l position in the school band in Vernon, Texas. It was in Clovis, New Mexico, when he was around 15 years old, that the same man who started Tommy Sands, also gave Jerry his chance. His name is Odis Echols, a professional entertainer and owner of the radio Station KCLV. During this time Jerry had his first radio program on the same station. But he didn't only gather experiences in making shows, he also learned to sing. For Odis Echols helped Jerry along with his singing, too.
Another prominent name in the music field took an interest in Jerry when only 16 years old. His name was Norman Petty. In Petty's own studios in Clovis, New Mexico, Jerry recorded his first songs. Some time later he got acquainted and worked with such great stars as Johnny Cash, Charles Philips, who recently had a hit on Coral Label "Welcome To The Wedding", Roy Orbison, Buddy Knox and last but not least Gene Vincent, a king in the Rock´n´ Roll field.
Soon after Jerry graduated from high school he attended Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas, for two years. It was there he made his first record called "The Wind" on the Eagle label. Later he transferred schools and went to Dallas, Texas, where he attended Southern Methodist University. In Dallas, he recorded many records with the R&R star Gene Vincent as a drummer on the Capitol label. A bit later Jerry Haymes recorded "Blue Memory", which is really catching on. Some of you listeners heard Jerry´s latest song on AFN. This song is a Country-Pop Ballad which is slated for a big seller. The famous Hank Snow has predicted big things for Jerry when he heard him singing this tune.
At the age of 20 Uncle Sam grabbed Jerry like many others. He had some training in the States and in the last week of August, 1959, Jerry saw himself for the first time in Western Germany. His radio career and also his career as an overseas serviceman began in Kaiserslautern (Germany). Some time later he moved to Frankfurt (Germany) where he still lives and works now at the Headquarters of the AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK (AFN) in Europe.
Jerry is a man with many different abilities. He is discjockey, singer, comedian, and last but not least manager of the HOMETOWNERS U.S.A. "Mr. VERSATILE"! If you ever meet him you will call him the same way. Jerry is fabulous! Today his main interest concerns the Country and Western Music. He likes it best. I tell you, I listened to him sing "Ballad Of Widder Jones", and an old Carl Smith tune called "There She Goes". I think there cannot be any better way tosing this kind of music. Along with Danny Starr who formerly used to work with Red Foley at the "Ozark Jubilee", Jerry and Danny head "THE HOMETOWNERS U.S.A." who play to sell-out audiences throughout Europe. Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Hank Snow and the Rainbow Ranchboys are old friends of Jerry´s. For a long time Tommy Cash, younger brother of Johnny Cash and well known discjockey from the AFN shows "Stickbuddy Jamboree" and "Five String Concert", also did a real big job in working with Jerry and the band.
So if you want to hear Jerry Haymes don't you go wander, just be on hand at 15.05 hours beginning October l6th 196l. Also over the networks of the AMERICAN FORCES NETWORK (AFN) in Europe there will be broadcasted "EUCOM JAMBOREE", done in Grand Ole Opry-style with top C&W talents right here in Europe. Every Saturday afternoon at 15.05 hours this show features the HOMETOWNERS U.S.A. along with Danny Starr and Mr. Versatile - Jerry Haymes. Keep listening and you´ll be surprised!
Aus: “Country Singin´ and Pickin´ News” der Ole Hillbilly Drifters, Vol.VI, Nummer 23, October 1961
*****
EUROPEAN COUNTRY & WESTERN HITPARADE TOP 25
At the beginning of November 1961 the Top Tunes in the Country and Western field of Music tabulate as follows:
1 HANK LOCKLIN - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME RCA 7921
2 FRANKIE MILLER - BLACKLAND FARMER Starday 424
3 TEX RITTER - HILLBILLY HEAVEN Capitol 4567
4 FRANKIE MILLER - A LITTLE BIT´S BETTER Starday 550
5 MARTY ROBBINS - IT'S YOUR WORLD Col. 42065
6 GEORGE JONES - TENDER YEARS Merc. 71804
7 HANK LOCKLIN - YOU'RE THE REASON RCA 7921
8 THE LOUVIN BROTHERS - RUBY'S SONG Capitol 4395
9 FARON YOUNG - BACKTRACK Capitol 46l6
10 ROY DRUSKY - THREE HEARTS IN A TANGLE Decca 31193
11 HANK SNOW - THE RESTLESS ONE RCA 7933
12 CLAUDE KING - SWEET LOVIN' Col. 42043
13 PATSY CLINE - I FALL TO PIECES Decca 31204
14 GEORGE HAMILTON IV - THE BALLAD OF WIDDER JONES RCA 7881
15 DON GIBSON - SEA OF HEARTBREAK RCA 7890
16 HANK SNOW - BEGGAR TO A KING RCA 7869
17 WEBB PIERCE - SWEET LIPS Decca 31249
18 K.WELLS / R.DRUSKY - I CAN'T TELL MY HEART THAT Decca 31164
19 FARON YOUNG - HELLO WALLS Capitol 4533
20 COWBOY COPAS - SUNNY TENNESSEE Starday 552
21 GEORGE HAMILTON IV - THREE STEPS TO THE PHONE RCA 7881
22 R. MADDOX/ B. OWENS - LOOSE TALK Capitol 4550
23 CARL BUTLER HONKY - TONKITIS Columbia
24 RUSTY & DOUG - LOUISIANA MAN Hickory 1137
25 ROSE MADDOX - LONELY STREET Capitol 4598These selections are based on the requests sent in by the listeners of AFN's own C&W shows "Hillbilly Gasthaus", "Stickbuddy Jamboree" and "C&W Hitparade".The aforementioned shows broadcasted by the American Forces Network (AFN) in Europe are the only regular Country Music programs in Europe.
Chart compiled by HAUKE STRUEBING, permanent contributor to COUNTRY SINGIN' AND PICKIN' NEWS.
Pick Hit of the month: "Loose Talk" by Rose Maddox and Buck Owens, "Sweet Lips" by Webb Pierce and most played song in October '6l: "Blackland Farmer" by Frankie Miller and "Hillbilly Heaven" by Tex Ritter, (tie).
Aus: “Country Singin´ and Pickin´ News” der Ole Hillbilly Drifters, Vol. VI, Nummer 23, October 1961
Mit der Nummer 23 vom Oktober 1961 wurde die Clubzeitschrift „Country Singin´ And Pickin´ News“ des Ole Hillbilly Drifters´ Club eingestellt.